Aircraft Leasing in Ireland & Elevate Partners: A Detailed Market Insight

This sector is foundational to Ireland’s financial services ecosystem—generating hundreds of millions of euro annually and supporting some of the country’s highest-paid professions. Within this dynamic landscape, Elevate Partners serves a strategic function: supplying the leadership and technical talent that sustain high-value transactions, drive financing innovation, and ensure that multi-billion euro portfolios are managed optimally.

Ireland as the Global Leader in Aircraft Leasing

Historical Context

Ireland’s ascent in aircraft leasing traces back to Tony Ryan’s establishment of GPA (Guinness Peat Aviation) in 1975. GPA’s leasing model revolutionised aviation by shifting airlines from ownership-heavy fleets to leasing-based models. Although GPA evolved over time, its legacy lives on through the numerous spin‑off firms founded in Ireland, creating a dense, expert network of leasing professionals.

Why Ireland Remains a Hub

• Tax and Legal Environment – Ireland’s corporate tax regime and extensive double tax treaty network continue to make it a compelling base for international lessors.
• Expert Workforce – Decades of growth have yielded deep expertise across finance, aviation law, and technical aircraft management.
• Regulatory Stability – Transparent and business-friendly regulation underpins long-term investment confidence.
• Geographical Advantage – Nestled between North America and continental Europe, Ireland is a convenient operational hub.

Economic Impact

Though direct corporate tax receipts from leasing are modest (around €40 million annually), the wider economic contribution exceeds €500 million, factoring in professional services, salaries, and related spend. The sector supports some of the highest average salaries in the country—estimated at €165,000 per employee.

Key Industry Players & Notable Transactions

Ireland’s leasing ecosystem comprises both global titans and more specialised operators:

• AerCap (Dublin-based): The world’s largest lessor; as of mid‑2025, it manages over 1,700 aircraft, engines, and helicopters
• Avolon: Globally ranked third in fleet size with approximately 583 aircraft. In 2025 alone, it placed a landmark order for 90 Airbus jets (75 A321neo and 15 A330neo), increasing its total Airbus commitments to over 413 aircraft with deliveries scheduled through 2033, plus options for more.
• SMBC Aviation Capital: Second only to AerCap in fleet size (around 761 aircraft). Recently delivered its third A320neo to Starflyer, with one more slated for late 2025.
• ABL Aviation: Focused on innovative finance structures like JOLCO leases.

Notable Transactions:

• Avolon’s acquisition of 118 aircraft from Castlelake in 2024, adding young assets and fueling credit-rating upgrades.

Through placing senior finance, legal, and technical professionals with leading lessors, Elevate Partners has supported teams delivering high-value, complex aircraft leasing transactions.

Market Dynamics & Trends

Fleet Modernisation and Sustainability

Lessors are actively updating their fleets with fuel-efficient models. Avolon’s Airbus order emphasises the sector’s confidence in aircraft that align with airlines’ sustainability goals. Additionally, Avolon’s early move in securing 500 Vertical VX4 eVTOLs highlights its foresight in emerging mobility trends Wikipedia.

Innovative Financing Techniques

Beyond traditional leases, the sector increasingly employs financing structures like JOLCO, ABS, and asset warehouse facilities, which optimise tax and capital efficiency.

Strong Recovery in Global Demand

Global air travel is rebounding, prompting airlines to expand fleets without bearing full ownership burdens—driving demand for leasing. Manufacturers expect 20% higher deliveries in 2025, with over 1,400 aircraft slated for delivery—a volume still insufficient to meet demand avolon.aero. This tight supply is projected to bolster lessor margins for at least the next decade Reuters+2AeroTime+2.

Digital Transformation in Asset Management

Data analytics, predictive maintenance, and digital tracking tools are becoming industry standards, coordinating efficient asset utilisation and creating demand for tech-savvy financial talent.

The Talent Imperative

Roles in High Demand

• Pricing Analysts – Building lease and residual value models.
• Portfolio Managers – Managing fleet performance and lessee relationships.
• Technical Asset Managers – Overseeing maintenance and lease transitions.
• Legal Counsel – Handling cross-border lease and financing agreements.
• Structured Finance Experts – Orchestrating complex funding transactions.

Essential Skill Set

These roles require a blend of financial analysis, aviation understanding, technological literacy, and commercial judgement. Strong ESG and data capabilities are becoming increasingly valued.

Elevate Partners’ Strategic Advantage

Elevate sources individuals who combine technical excellence with cultural and situational fit. Drawing from deep sector networks, we deliver professionals capable of adding immediate and sustained value to leasing firms.

Challenges & Risks

Even with structural strengths, the sector faces several headwinds:

• Fiscal and Regulatory Pressure – Low effective tax contributions may spur policy scrutiny.
• Capital Reliance – Fluctuations in debt markets or rising interest rates can challenge expansion and refinancing strategies.
• Residual Value Uncertainty – Aircraft values fluctuate with economic cycles, and accurate long-term forecasting is critical.
• Geopolitical and Supply Chain Disruptions – Sanctions or manufacturing delays can affect lease timelines and asset rotation, as evidenced by tight 2025 delivery schedules.

Outlook & Strategic Opportunities

Projected Growth Trajectory

Global demand for air travel is set to rise for the next two decades, and leasing will remain the flexible fleet-scaling model of choice.

Sustainability as a Growth Driver

Targets for decarbonisation continue to refresh demand for newer, greener aircraft, benefiting lessors with modern fleets.

Ireland’s Continued Leadership

Maintaining Ireland’s dominance depends on sustaining a highly skilled workforce, preserving its attractive tax and legal framework, and continuously innovating in financing and asset management.

Elevate Partners’ Forward Strategy

With expanding demand and sophistication across the sector, Elevate is poised to deepen its role as the premier recruitment partner—connecting exceptional talent with companies that are shaping the future of global aviation finance.

Key Takeaways

• Ireland remains the epicentre of global aircraft leasing, managing roughly half of the world’s leased fleet and generating significant economic impact.
• Fleet modernisation and sustainability commitments, illustrated by Avolon’s major Airbus order and eVTOL investment, demonstrate a future-forward posture.
• Supply constraints and rising delivery backlogs, combined with robust post-pandemic travel demand, create a favourable market environment for lessors.
• Demand for specialised, high-calibre talent is climbing—with pricing, technical, legal, and finance professionals particularly sought after.
• Elevate Partners sits at the heart of this ecosystem, delivering the people who drive strategic growth and innovation across Ireland’s aircraft leasing sector.